Wire-connector.



PATENTED OCT. 13, 1903. F. P. FULLER & J. J. WALSH.

WIRE CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION I'LLED PEBJI. 19oa.

N0 MODEL.

NITED STATES Patented October 13, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK P. FULLER, OF NEW YORK, AND JOHN J. WALSH, OF YONKERS,

. NEW YORK.

WIRE-CONNECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 741,480, dated ctober13, 1903. Application filed lebruary '7, 1903. Serial No. l42,283. (F0 model.)

and JOHN J. WALSH, residing at Yonkers,

county of Westchester, State of New York, both citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements a connection without the necessity of cutting the line-wire and at the same time securing good electrical contact under all conditions.

Our invention, which consists in the novel features and combinations of parts hereinafter described and more particularly-pointed out in the claims, will be more clearly understood by referring to the drawings, which show a convenient embodiment of the same.

Figure 1 is a view inperspective of one form of our device in use. wedge employed to bind the wires. Fig. 3 shows the construction of the same, with reinforcing-bands. Fig. at is a section on line a: 00, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section of a slightlymodified form.

The device comprises a sleeve 1, preferably made of spring metal, such as brass, having a tapered opening throughout its length and on the side a continuous slot 2, wide enough to permit the sleeve to bepassed over the bared line-wire to which the bridge or tap is to be made. The two wires having been arranged in the sleeve, as shown in the various figures, a tapered. plug 3, (illustrated in de-- tail in Fig. 2,) having grooves 4 5 to receive the wires, is driven tightly between the same,

forcing them outward against the inside of.

tube 1, which being resilient grips the same with a firm and constant. pressure. The grinding and rubbing of the sleeve,wires, and

Wedge as the latter is driven home, in addi-' tion to the binding incident to the resiliency of the former, insures a good contact between the parts, and since they are completely protected the contact is not impaired by long ex- Fig. 2 shows theposure to the weather. The whole may also be wrapped with tape in the usual manner, if desired, for further protection. The plug or wedge may be easily forced into place by means of pliers and readily released by the deep, leaving only a small part of the'surface of the wire exposed, in order to enable substantially all of the surface of the plug to bear against the inside of the sleeve. The small exposed parts of the wires projecting above the plug are sufficient to bind the same with great firmness. It is obvious, of course, that the sleeve in order to possess the desired strength and resiliency should be of considerable thickness, by which is meant it is not thin enough to be distorted under ordinary conditions of use. As the sizes of the parts are increased, however, for use with conductors of larger size, the weight and cost of the same means. The grooves 4 5 should be quite sleeve become too great, and to obviate these disadvantages we employ a comparatively thin sleeve or tube and provide the necessary additional strength by means of reinforcingbands 6 7, secured in any convenient way. The bands also provide convenient purchase for one jaw of the pliers in assembling'or separating the parts. They should of course have openings 8, registering with the slot 2.

The device shown in section in Fig. 5 isin all essentials like those described above, but differs slightly in form, being flat instead of cylindrical. This shape makes it more convenient for use under certain conditions, as where a number of them are employed in a limited space.

It will be understood, of course, that the form shown is merely one embodiment of our invention, which form may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim is-- 1. In a device of the kind described,the combination with a line wire or conductor and 'a branch wire, of aresilient sleeve having a tapered opening therethrough" and a continuous slot in its side, and a tapered plug or wedge having grooves to receive the wires, fitting tightly within said sleeve whereby the plug and wires are firmly gripped by the same, as and for the purposes set forth.

wedge fitting tightly in the sleeve whereby the plug and Wires are firmly gripped by the to same, as and for the purposes set forth.

FREDERICK P. FULLER. JOHN J. WALSH.

2. In a device of the kind described, the combination with a plurality of wires or conductors, of a metal sleeve having a tapered opening therethrongh and a. continuous slot in its side, one or more reinforcing-bands l surrounding the sleeve and having openings i W'itnesses:

registering with said slot, to give additional FRANK BARNES, strength to the sleeve, and a tapered plug or C. JOHNSON BITTER. 

